A Weekend to Remember
As I sit on my back patio sipping tea, I find myself reflecting on the extraordinary weekend we shared at our 2026 Spring Women’s Wellness Retreat.
Nestled amongst rolling vineyards and blooming lavender fields, the retreat was held at Cavalli Estates in San Luis Obispo. A working lavender farm tucked into the heart of California’s Central Coast, the property feels both expansive and intimate. Cows and horses wander nearby, goats and sheep pass the house on their evening walk, gentle breezes sweep through the hills, and the Santa Lucia Mountains create a breathtaking backdrop in every direction. It is a place that invites you to slow down, take a deep breath, and simply be.
For four beautiful days, it was ours.
Our retreat began with an abundant display of locally sourced charcuterie and handcrafted mocktails served poolside. As the sun softened across the hills, we gathered for a sound bath, releasing the demands of everyday life and settling into the experience ahead.
We gathered around the table for a meal that was both elegant and comforting, shared meaningful conversation, and embraced the quiet excitement that comes from knowing a weekend of care, connection, and restoration awaits. Later, wrapped in cozy robes, guests retired to their suites where lavender and eucalyptus aromas lingered in the air, setting the stage for deep and restorative sleep.
Over the course of the weekend, we intentionally cared for every aspect of our well-being.
We moved our bodies through daily yoga, therapeutic massage, and aromatic walks through the lavender fields. We nourished ourselves with beautifully prepared meals crafted by our private chef using ingredients sourced from local farms, farmers markets, and my own garden. Fresh herbs clipped, locally caught fish, vibrant seasonal produce, and freshly pressed juices from the surrounding organic groves, became the foundation of meals that felt both indulgent and deeply nourishing.
We cared for our minds and spirits through meditation, Reiki, journaling, meaningful conversations, and quiet moments of reflection beneath a star-filled sky.
Most importantly, we gave ourselves permission to rest. And perhaps that was the greatest gift of all.
The Gift of Space
One of the most valuable lessons I learned as a retreat host was that less truly is more.
As women, we spend much of our lives moving from one responsibility to the next. Managing schedules. Caring for others. Solving problems. Carrying invisible responsibilities that often go unnoticed.
What I witnessed throughout the weekend was that women don’t necessarily need more experiences. They desire space.
I watched guests instinctively gravitate toward lounge chairs, wrapped in flowing caftans and oversized sunglasses, the Santa Lucia Mountains rising behind them. The pool shimmered in the afternoon sun. There was nowhere they needed to be and nothing they needed to accomplish. They simply rested. They read. They reflected. They connected. They exhaled.
I was reminded that wellness isn’t always found in doing more. Often, it is found in finally allowing ourselves to do less.
The Power of Presence & Authentic Connection
I experienced the power of authenticity.
The most meaningful moments were not carefully orchestrated activities. They were the conversations around the breakfast table. The laughter shared while basking in the warm California sun. The stories exchanged during candlelit dinners. The moments when women allowed themselves to arrive exactly as they were.
Come as you are. Release what no longer serves you. Share what feels right. Laugh. Cry. Be carefree. Be vulnerable. Connect.
Like so many homes, the heart of our retreat became the kitchen.
Our chef created meals that delighted every sense, but she also created community. Each morning, guests gathered around the kitchen island with coffee in hand, asking questions, sharing stories, and learning about ingredients, recipes, and wellness practices. The kitchen became a place of discovery, laughter, and friendship.
As the founder of Julie Catherine Wellness, I arrived prepared for every possible scenario. Organization is one of my strengths. I am a planner, a problem solver, and someone who finds comfort in the details.
Yet I knew my greatest challenge would be something entirely different.
Remaining present.
It would have been easy to focus on that misplaced centerpiece and unlit candle. Instead, I continually reminded myself that those things were not what mattered most.
Guests will not remember whether every decorative detail was perfect but they will remember how they felt.
They will remember feeling welcomed, cared for, and seen. They will remember the conversations that made them feel understood. They will remember that moment when their nervous systems settled and their shoulders finally relaxed.
Throughout the weekend, I returned again and again to that intention: be present, be authentic, and trust that connection matters more than perfection.
With Gratitude & Anticipation
On our final evening, a photographer joined us to capture a few moments from the weekend. As she turned her camera around to show me one of the images, I saw our guests and our wellness team gathered together, arms wrapped around one another, smiling with genuine joy.
In that moment, tears quietly filled my eyes.
All I could say was, thank you.
Thank you to the women who trusted me with their time, their energy, and their hearts.
Thank you to the incredible wellness professionals who shared their gifts so generously.
Thank you for the conversations, the laughter, the vulnerability, and the kindness that flowed so naturally throughout the weekend.
Most of all, thank you for helping bring a vision to life that I have poured my heart into trying to describe through both images and words.
When I first imagined Julie Catherine Wellness, I dreamed of creating more than a retreat.
I dreamed of creating a space where women could step away from responsibilities at home and reconnect with what each of them needs to feel supported, celebrated, nourished, and deeply cared for.
This weekend was a beautiful reminder that the dream has become a reality.
As I reflect on all that unfolded over the weekend, my heart is filled with gratitude, not only for what was experienced, but for what lies ahead.
We are already preparing for our Fall Women’s Wellness Retreat this October, and I look forward to welcoming another extraordinary group of women for a weekend to rest, restore and connect.
If this reflection resonates with you, I invite you to explore our upcoming retreats and consider joining us this Fall for an unforgettable experience on the serene and picturesque Central Coast of California.
